Raheem Sterling 'open to leaving Man City' amid Arsenal and Real Madrid transfer interest – and club could cash in

RAHEEM STERLING is 'open to leaving Manchester City', according to reports.

The winger, 26, joined the Etihad giants for £49million from Liverpool in 2015.

But after a difficult season at club level, in which he reportedly fell out with Pep Guardiola in April, The Athletic say he would be willing to explore a new challenge if an exciting opportunity came up.

And it is thought City may be ready to cash in, especially as Sterling only has two years to run on his current £300,000-a-week deal.

Should he enter the final year of his contract next summer, that would significantly reduce his value and any fee received.

Selling Sterling for around £80m this summer, however, would help fund a record-breaking transfer for either Jack Grealish or Harry Kane, who would both cost at least £100m.

Arsenal and Real Madrid have both been linked with the England star in recent months.

As revealed by SunSport, the Gunners are willing to splash the cash to stump up for his mammoth wages as they have done for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

He almost joined Arsenal from QPR in 2010 but instead signed for Liverpool in a £600,000 switch.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, continue to monitor Sterling's situation in Manchester – although the LaLiga side are in financial disarray so are unlikely to be able to afford a big-money move in the current window.

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However, while City would allow Sterling to leave if he made it clear he wanted out, the club are also considering handing him a new contract after his holidays to tie him down for the long term.

Guardiola is keen for the 66-cap international to stay and put any personal differences behind them.

Sterling managed 14 goals in 49 appearances last term but was left out of the starting XI for large chunks of the campaign, especially towards the end with Phil Foden preferred.

For now, though, Sterling's attention is totally on Euro 2020.

The wide man has been one of the Three Lions' standout players, scoring the first three goals of their campaign after many questioned his inclusion.

And he will be desperate to add another one to his tally tonight when Gareth Southgate's side take on Denmark in the semi-final at Wembley.

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